Fang Ling was contemplating the possibility of a two-against-one fight when he was suddenly taken to Director Ou's office by his teacher and teacher's wife.
"What's going on?" he asked in confusion.
Lin Tianyang said gravely, "We received information from a concerned individual that someone from the City Lord's Mansion is coming to kill you today."
"Because of that life-and-death duel?"
"Yes."
Though surprised at first, Fang Ling quickly understood.
On the continent of Douluo, strength was everything. Breaking one's word wasn't unusual and hardly surprising.
"They want to kill me? How?" Contrary to their expectations, Fang Ling wasn't afraid but rather intrigued. "I haven't left the academy recently. Would they really dare to attack me here?"
"They just might," Director Ou nodded slightly.
Fang Ling's expression stiffened at those words.
Director Ou continued, "Xu Chi wasn't very talented and wasn't favored in the City Lord's Mansion, but his mother, An Yufei, doted on him dearly. Now, in order to avenge her beloved son, she's on her way to the academy."
"An Yufei is a Flying Soul Ancestor. She can fly straight into the academy."
"There's also a grudge between the City Lord and the Headmaster. This could escalate and even involve the Soul Emperor–level City Lord."
Fang Ling drew in a sharp breath, just about to ask if he could run away.
But seeing how calm the others were and recalling the teacher's hidden background, he suddenly realized something.
"Why does the Headmaster have a grudge with the City Lord?"
"Because my father once defeated him and two of his companions in a one-against-three fight. They were just background characters in his record of victories," Lin Tianyang said proudly.
So, the teacher really was the Headmaster's son and a powerful Soul Emperor.
The three of them were clearly teasing him. They really had the time for that…
Fang Ling was momentarily speechless, but a spark of inspiration flashed through his mind, and his eyes lit up.
"Has Master-Grandfather returned yet?"
"After the life-and-death battle ended, we figured something might happen. We immediately sent someone to fetch him. Judging by the timing, he should be back soon."
"The City Lord is just a background character, " With some assurance, Fang Ling's thoughts began to churn.
He could understand a mother's desire for revenge, but he couldn't accept it.
Why should her son be allowed to live while others must die?
She probably really did think that way.
Which was fine by him.
He wouldn't complain, such was the world.
But this was also a good opportunity. He still didn't have a storage soul tool.
Carrying things was inconvenient, and nowhere was as safe as keeping them on his person.
But the cheapest one in the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan's store cost tens of thousands. He couldn't afford it.
As for those cheap, half-broken ones, he didn't dare buy them.
What if they exploded while he was using them?
But now someone was basically delivering one right to his door.
It was entirely the City Lord's fault. If he could wring some compensation out of this, everything would be taken care of.
Just the thing to make up for the fright.
If someone dared harbor murderous intent toward him, it was best to just kill them.
But that was Fang Ling's own problem, no need to involve his teacher and the others.
Once he became stronger, he could settle all scores.
"Are there any defensive-type Soul Ancestors in the academy?" he asked quickly.
Lin Tianyang and Shu Manyun hadn't caught on yet.
But Director Ou's eyes flashed with a trace of amusement. He understood, "There are two. What are you planning?"
Fang Ling intertwined his fingers and gave a shy smile:
"I don't have a soul tool and can't afford one. Isn't this the perfect chance to wring a high-quality one out of them?"
Director Ou liked Fang Ling even more, he was talented and knew when to advance or retreat.
"Good kid! Forget your slow teacher and his wife, let's work out a proper plan."
They couldn't just kill someone, that would mean total war with the City Lord.
They weren't afraid, but there was no need.
If they could squeeze more compensation out of the situation, that would be ideal. Fang Ling had clearly considered everything.
While they were still plotting,
A rough yet luxurious chariot pulled by a cheetah slowly stopped at the academy gates.
It bore a black longsword emblem.
The Black Gold Sword, anyone with a bit of knowledge would recognize this as the City Lord's Martial Soul.
Naturally, this emblem belonged to the City Lord's Mansion.
The two academy gate guards recognized it instantly and were confused.
Why would someone from the City Lord's Mansion come here?
Was it because of the recent fight at the Grand Arena?
Fang Ling and Xu Chi's battle had been very exciting. Both were prodigies with dozens of life-and-death victories.
It was full of drama, with a thrilling progression. The fight was still widely discussed, and the two guards knew all about it.
But a life-and-death duel at the arena meant just that, your life depended on your strength.
It was a well-known rule.
Would the City Lord's Mansion really bring the grudge here?
"Move aside! I'm going to kill the little bastard who murdered my son!"
A sharp, hoarse, and slightly broken female voice shouted from inside the chariot.
The voice made it clear that she was Xu Chi's mother.
The gate guards didn't know about the grudge between the Headmaster and the City Lord, but the academy had always treated them well, so they wouldn't step aside.
They revealed their Martial Souls and looked at the carriage warily, each surrounded by a yellow soul ring, both were one-ring Soul Masters.
"Madam, please return. This is Battle King Academy, not one of your subordinates' offices."
At those words, a woman in black combat gear leaped from the carriage.
With chestnut hair, a beautiful face, and a curvy figure, she looked only about thirty despite being in her forties, thanks to good maintenance.
Her eyes were red and swollen from crying, and her expression was filled with fury. She didn't even notice that her nails had dug into her palms.
She snorted coldly, a red glow flashing from her brow, and crimson feathers began covering her body.
A mid-high-tier Martial Soul, Red-Feathered Crowned Crane.
A fire-attribute beast-type Martial Soul, and more importantly, it could fly.
As feathers covered her body, a pair of black-striped wings unfurled behind her.
Four soul rings of the optimal configuration appeared on her body.
Her second yellow ring lit up, and she flapped her wings, sending two hot gusts of wind that knocked the guards down.
Then, under the shocked gaze of the carriage driver, she flew straight toward the academy.
"Second Madam!" the driver shouted in panic.
A squad of soldiers chased after her.
"Sister!" the leader called out, but got no response.
"An Yufei!" Even calling her by name didn't work. His face darkened as he punched his thigh in frustration. "How could she be so reckless!"
After regaining composure, he pointed at the driver.
"You, go back and report to the City Lord what just happened."
"Tell him that Madam, driven by grief, has stormed into Battle King Academy."
Then he quickly instructed another man.
"Li Er, take my command token and go summon a… no, two squads of Soul Masters."
"Yes!"
"Wait," he added after looking at the injured guards and hesitating briefly. "Also bring a healing-type Soul Master to treat these two."
The guards weren't the point, the academy's honor was.
They couldn't afford to let the men remain seriously injured.
If they died, things would get very bad.
If the City Lord, his brother-in-law, were strong enough to beat the Academy Headmaster, it might be manageable.
But he wasn't.
Hopefully the academy's teachers could stop her.
Otherwise, if someone got hurt, or worse, killed, it would be a huge problem.
"The rest of you, follow me. We're going in to bring Second Madam out!"
"Yes!"
Well, technically they were arresting her, but that didn't sound good.
She was his sister and the City Lord's wife. As nobles, appearances mattered.
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